Inspiring Tuesday: Love Boldly

The Bible gives us a very clear picture of what love looks like and how it works in our hearts and interactions with each other. By the definition given in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, it is quite clear that our capacity to love runs very deep, and many seemingly impossible things can be done through love. Let’s take a look at the text:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV)

Are you struggling to reach out to a loved one who doesn’t know Christ? As someone close to them, perhaps you are privy to their feelings towards God and Christianity in general. Perhaps they are hard-hearted towards faith because of events or people from their past. If so, before approaching them, examine yourself first. Make sure that there is nothing in your interactions with them that echoes their negative experience with so-called Christians of their acquaintance.

Remember that God is for us, and for them, too. God is the embodiment of all of the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. He is patient, humble, kind, selfless, true, protective, trusting, hopeful, steadfast, and unfailing. And if our magnificent Creatorwith all of that boundless love is for us,who can be against us?Is there anything in anyone’s past that is too big for God to handle?

This agape love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is the root from which all our relationships should grow. As we focus in on relationships for this month’s prayer theme, be encouraged to live out your love boldly, fully believing that God will fulfil the promises He made (as in Matthew 11:28). If God has placed a burden on your heart for someone that you know isn’t following Him (or who may not even know Him yet), don’t be shy. Don’t hide your convictions—you may be that person’s nearest link to true freedom!